Dispensing containers



Nov. 5, 1957 P. J. GRAYBILL 2,812,126

DISPENSING CONTAINERS Filed June 25, 1956 United States Patent DISPENSING CONTAINERS Paul J. Graybill, New Haven, Conn.

Application June 25, 1956, Serial No. 593,718

12 Claims. (Cl. 229--17) The present invention relates to a dispensing container having a seal-flap with tuck-tab and tuck-slot, and also having side-guards which together with said seal-flap form a three piece pouring spout.

Broad objective The broad objective of my invention is to provide a one piece seal-flap container which uses the same amount of stock as the full glue-end type container, one that can be formed and filled with the exact procedure as is presently used with filling machines as for soap for instance; a container that can be easily opened for dispensing by tearing the tuck-tab and seal-flap free and as readily closed in a reasonably secure condition by inserting the tuck-tab into a tuck-slot; to provide a container that may be also used for directional dispensing as for pouring into a small utensil or orifice without adding a separate spout, but utilizing the outer glue-flap as side guards along the edges of the seal-flap to thus form a spout when the sealfiap is in an open position.

This structure is especially advantageous and desirable for several reasons: (1) it does not add to the cost of the container, there is no extra stock, and no extra machinery or gluing and no extra handling or stripping, the only change, which is slight, is in die formation and printing; (2) it permits a secure seal of the container before the initial opening, as, all parts of the container function in their normal ways; (3) it affords ready access to the contents of the container, no tools or devices are requiredthe tuck-tab is merely torn free from the Van Buren Ear and the seal-flap lifted; (4) it allows the ready formation of the pouring spout without fear of tearing, as the spout side-guards are already free on the outside and are automatically lifted into contact position by the seal-flap itself as the seal-flap is opened; (5) the structure secures the spout in its open position by the use of retention tabs which also automatically engage the sideguards as the seal-flap is released after opening, and finally; (6) it allows for the immediate rescaling of the container by merely tucking the tuck-tab into the tuckslot.

The container thus in various sizes and arrangements is unusually well adapted for any and allfast pouring granular or powdered products, where controlled dispensing is advantageous and a reclosure is required or desirable.

Specific objectives Themore specific objectives of myinvention are as follows:

( 1) To provide, in a preferred embodiment, a onepiece seal-flap container having a tuck-tab formed from ice closed position when the tuck-tab is tucked into a tuckslot immediately adjacent to the container wall.

(2) To provide such a container with a seal-flap of two or more layers having staggered marginal edges to form overlapping areas along the lateral sides thereof to insure complete closure and sift-proofne'ss both before and after the initial opening, as well also as to prevent the seal-flap from being forced beyond its normal closure position into the container, the seal-flap to be hingedly joined to the glue-flaps at the innermost end thereof.

(3) To provide such a container with side-guards, which are formed from the outermost glue-flap by a medial cut and two at least partly curved angular creases, which side-guards are adhesive free and are forced 0111- Ward when the seal-flap is swung into its open position, this action being facilitated by the angular crease which afiords a lever-like action of the seal-flap against the sideguards, which by virtue of the curved crease and the stresses in the stock itself have a strong proclivity to resist being opened and thus hug the sides of the sealflap with considerable force, forming a tight trough-like spout.

(4) To provide such a container with retention-tabs on the lateral edges of the tuck-tab which hook onto the edges of the side-guards and hold the seal-flap as Well as said side-guards in their open positions, securing the pouring spout, said retention-tabs to release when pressure is applied as the seal-flap is returned to its original closed position and said tuck-tab is tucked into the tuck-slot.

(5) To provide such a container with a tuck-slot cut in the glue-flaps immediately inwardly of the container wall so positioned as to accommodate the tuck-tab in a tight tuck by gripping said protrusion-tabs.

(6) To provide such a container with a thumb-notch cut out of the container-wall adjacent to the inner layer of the seal-flap and adhered to the inside of the tucktab to act as a resistor to said tuck-tab, forcing it outwardly against the inside of the container wall when it is in a closed position, said thumb-notch to facilitate the reopening of the seal-flap.

(7) And finally to provide in a modified embodiment a dispensing container without said side-guards but with an additional layer of stock in the seal-flap if desired, providing thus an unusually secure seal.

Designations of illustrations These and other objectives and advantages will become apparent as the'following detailed description proceeds, when reference is made to the accompanying drawings; wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown the principle embodiment and one modification of'my'invention.

Fig. 1 is a view of part of the inside of the blank of my invention showing the necessary creases, cuts and color areas indicated on the outside surface to form the various parts,

Fig. 2 is a partial perspective view of the container of Fig. 1 with the seal-flap side-guards and tuck-tab in a closed position,

Fig. 3 is a partial perspective of an enlarged view of the dispensing area of the container of Figs. 1 and 2 showing the seal-flap in an open position, with the retentiontabs engaging the side-guards, 1

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of Fig. 2 as indicated showing the tuclc-tab'in dots in its secondary position when tucked inwardly in said tuck-slot, r

Fig. -5 is'an enlarged partial perspective View gf the open container in an inverted position to facilitate the use of the opening as a spout, l

' 6 is a ross sssti n V e ad Qet d; nf-i.%i;

showing the structure of the seal-flap and the inside of one of the side-guards in its open position,

Fig. 7 is a view of part of the inside of the blank of amodified embodiment of my invention,-showing no side-guards but an additional course in the seal-flap structure.

Description and manufacturing procedure thereto, three of these being modified to form the various members of the novel dispensing means claimed herein.

Glue-flap 2 is modified by a partial transverse cut 6 and two diagonal and partly curved creases 7, all converging at one point P to form the side-guards 8 at one end thereof. Glue-flap 3 is modified by having Van Buren Bar 9 cut therefrom, said ear hingedly joined to glue-flap 4 at crease 11 and cut and perforated by cut 12 to form a tuck-tab 13 which tuck-tab is transversed by crease 14 to form a pull-tab 15. Glue-flap 3 is further modified by having one course 3A of the seal-flap F cut therefrom rand the tuck-slots C cut therein as well also the color areas C added thereon on the reverse side to prevent adhesive pick up. Seal-flap course 3A is out free on two lateral sides by cuts 16 and hingedly joined to glue-flap 3 at crease 17, and out free on its fourth side by cut 18 which :is an arc and protrudes into container side-wall 38 to form a thumb-notch 18A therein, and a tab 18B which is transversed by crease to allow folding. Glue-flap 4 is modified as stated by having Van Buren Ear 9 articulated thereto, and also byhaving one course 4A of the seal-flap F cut therefrom, 4A being cut free on its two lateral edges by cuts 16A and hingedly joined to glue-flap -4 at multiple creases 17A. Color area C is also added on the outside surface to prevent glue pick-up.

Containers 20 of Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 is formed after the blank of Fig. l is printed, out and creased in the usual way by running said blank through a regular gluing machine, which applies adhesive and joins glue-flaps SE to .the inside of container-wall 1B, thus forming the body of a tubular container with two sets of opposing wall panels parallel to each other and perpendicular to the other pair. Hence the end closure members glue-flaps l, 2, 3, 4 with their respective variations and the regular glue-flaps on the opposite end of the container (not shown) would also each be of two pairs, these parallel to each other and perpendicular to the other two before being foldeddn to form either the bottom or top closure.

When the folded and glued blank of container 20 is presented to the packaging machine, either the top or bottom closure can be made first and the package filled with produce and the remaining end closure then made. It may be advantageous to make the top end closure first, in which case the container would be filled from the bottom before the bottom closure is effected. Adhesive would be applied appropriately where used on any of the glue-flaps, and the glue-flaps 1 and 3 rotated inwardly with glue-flap 4 being rotated about crease 10 and brought to bear thereon, thence glue-flap 2 would be rotated also at crease 10 and superimposed on glue-flap 4 with some pressure, the Van Buren Ear 9 would be rotated about and partially adhered to container wall 3B, thus forming the dispensing end closure of container 20, Fig. 2. When container 20 is thus formed, filled and the bottom closure effected it is ready for an over-wrap (if one is used) and if one is not, it is ready for packing and shipment. It

should be noted that even without the over-wrap there is a very efficient closure on the dispensing-end where the glue-flaps function in their regular way as shown in Fig. 2 even though they are cut and scored to later form the novel dispensing means as herein claimed.

It should be noted that side-guards 8 completely overlay the seal-flap course 4A which in turn overlays course 3A and extends beyond it at its marginal lateral edges to effect a complete seal. Also Van Buren Ear 9 with its tuck-tab 13 and finger-tab 15 are adhered in part to container side-wall 3B and completely overlay thumbnotch cut 18 to effect a complete seal. The glue-flaps, thus in toto, effecting a complete and normal closure.

When container 20 is to be reopened for dispensing the contents thereof the procedure would be as follows: (1) the finger-tab 15, which is adhesion free by virtue of color area C on container side-wall 3B, may be rotated outwardly at crease 14 and used to pull the remaining portion of tuck-tab 13 free from side wall 3B to which it has been adhered; (2) tuck-tab 13 is then used as a pull-tab to draw seal-flap F outwardly, course 4A and 3A of seal-flap F which are adhered together are drawn out simultaneously releasing on the overlapping areas on glue-flaps 3 due to the color areas C; (3) simultaneously as seal-flap F is drawn outwardly pressure is applied beneath side-guards 8 at points inwardly from their hinged connection at creases 7 which produces a lever-like action on said side-guards 8 in relation to their hinged connection and rotates them hingelike at creases 7, easily at first but with ever increasing pressure due to the inherent stresses in the stock itself and the are in the end of creases 7, until (4) seal-flap F has been rotated to the point where protrusion-tabs 12 slip beyond and engage behind side-guards 8 where seal-flap is held in a secure position from moving outwardly by the pressure from side-guards 8 and from moving inwardly by the protrusion-tabs. Thus seal-flap F together with side-guards 8 have assumed a position which performs two functions (1) to open and hold open seal-flap F to afford an aperture in container 24) from which when said container is held as shown in Fig. 3 the contents may be discharged as from an ordinary aperture, and (2) to open said container and form a three piece spout which when the container is held as in Fig. 5 the contents may be dispensed through the spout with directional control.

It should be noted at this point how the novelty of this construction aifords extremely beneficial results, (1) the curved creases 7 institute stresses to resist opening, which causes side guards 8 to hug the marginal edges of sealflap F to effect a tight sift-proof juncture as well as to positively hold said spout formation in position due to the protrusion-tabs which prevent accidental collapse. A straight crease does not afford such stresses, (2) the tangent angle of creases 7 also afford ease of opening (without tearing) due to the fact that there is lever action between seal-flap F and side-guard 8 as the outer edge of seal-flap F contacts the side-guards 8 at some distance from their hinged connection 7, (3) thus due to combining a partial curve in, and an angular position for,

creases 7, complete contact of the full lateral edges of seal-flap F and the inner surfaces of side-guards 8, is maintained in all positions in the opening process with ever increasing force as the opening process proceeds, which is necessary and unique and is possible only with this novel construction. When container 20 is to be reclosed after using (1) retention-tabs 12 are released from their position by applying inward pressure to seal-flap F, (2) tuck-tab 13 is rotated inwardly and with seal-flap F is brought to a closed position by tucking tuck-tab 13 into the opening where protrusion-tabs 12 make forced friction engagement in tuck-slots S and completely seal the container. It should be noted as shown in Fig. 4 in dots how in the tucked-in position tuck-tab 13 is reinforced and held against the container wall by thumbnotch. cut-out tab 18B. On any subsequent reopening of container 20 thumb-notch 18A affords access to tuck-tab 131which can be drawn outwardly as before to the open position.

I Fig. 7 shows the inside. layout of a modified version of my invention in which the side-guards are eliminated entirely and glue-flap 2 is modified to form another course 2A for seal-flap F, which construction is similar in all other Ways to the construction of the container of Figs. 1 to 6 except the placement of color on glue-flap 4 which is altered to accommodate the over-lay of course 2A. The closure, initial opening and subsequent reclosure of the container of Fig. 7 is identical except for the side-guards, and needs no further description.

It is understood that these embodiments are only examples and various changes in shape, size or arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

I claim:

l. A container having reclosable dispensing means in a multiple course, adhesively joined wall thereof, said means consisting of a multiple course seal-flap cut and creased therefrom, each course of said seal-flap being articulated at its innermost end to the corresponding course of said container wall and cut releasably free on the side edges therefrom, one course of said container wall having a Van Bureau Ear articulated thereto, and adhesively joined to the outside surface of the adjacent side wall of said container, said Van Buren- Ear being cut and creased to form a releasable tuck-tab, said tuck-tab being articulated to the adjacent end of one course of said sealfiap, said tuck-tab in one position releasably secured to said Van Buren Ear when said seal-flap is in its sealed position, said tuck-tab in another position torn free therefrom opening a dispensing aperture in said multiplecourse wall when said seal-flap is swung about on its hinged articulation in an opened position, said tuck-tab in still another position to be tucked inwardly into said aperture adjacent to said container wall, when said seal-flap is in its reclosed position, said container having a portion of the outer course of said container wall formed into adhesive-free side-guards, said side-guards so positioned as to form the side-walls of a spout when said seal-flap is in an open position, said side-guards being formed by a longitudinal cut and two creases running inwardly from the edge of the said outer course of said multiple course wall and so positioned as to hinge outwardly at the creases and offer resistance along the lateral edges of said sealflap when said seal-flap is drawn outwardly thus forming a three part spout, said seal-flap forming the bottom wall and said side-guards the side walls thereof.

2. The container of claim 1 having a tuck-slot in at least one of the courses of the multiple course wall, said tuck-slot positioned immediately adjacent to said sidewall of said container and dimensioned to accommodate said tuck-tab in a tight fit when said seal-flap is in a closed position with the tuck-tab tucked therein.

3. The container of claim 1 having protrusion-tabs on the lateral edges of said tuck-tab, said protrusion-tabs positioned in said tuck-slots when said tuck-tab and said seal-flap are in a closed position, and extending behind and engaging the outer edges of said side-guards when said seal-flap is in an open position.

4. The container of claim 1 having a thumb-notch in the side-wall of said container so positioned as to expose part of said tuck-tab when said tuck-tab is tucked inwardly thereof, said out out portion of said thumb-notch being articulated to the outer end of the inner course of said seal-flap and adhered to the inner side of said tuck-tab thus tending to force said tab outwardly against said container wall when said tuck-tab is in a closed position.

5. A container having a wall consisting of outer, medial and inner adhesively joined courses, each of said courses articulated at right angles to the corresponding side walls of said container, said outer course of said wall having a pair of adhesive free side-guards therein, said side-guards being formed'by a longitudinal cut and two creases running inwardly from one of the side edges thereof, said medial course being cut and scored to form the outer course of a substantially quadrangular seal-flap, said sealflap being cut releasably free on its lateral edges and hingedly joined by crease on its innermost edge, said outer course of said seal-flap having articulated to its outer end a tuck-tab, said tuck-tab being cut releasably free from a Van Buren Ear, said ear articulated to the outer terminal edge of said medial course of said container wall and adhesively joined to the outer surface of the adjacent side wall of said container, said inner course of said multiple course wall being also cut and creased to form an inner small-er course of said seal-flap, being cut releasably free along its front and two lateral edges and hingedly joined at its inner edge to said inner course and adhesively joined to said outer course of said two course seal-flap, said two-course seal-flap then in one position to be in the planes of said two inner courses of said multiple coursewall with said tuck-tab joined to said Van Buren Bar with said side-guards superimposed thereon in the plane of the outer course of said multiple course wall, thus forming said container wall, said seal-flap in another position to be extended outwardly at its hinged connection having been torn free from said inner and medial courses and said Van Buren Ear opening an aperture in said container for the dispensing of the contents thereof, said seal-flap then forming the bottom wall of a pouring spout with said side-guards extending outwardly forming the side-walls thereof, said seal-flap in another position to close said aperture when said tuck-tab is positioned inwardly of said adjacent container wall within said container with said seal-flap in its original postion.

6. The container of claim 5 having a tuck-slot in at least one of the courses of the multiple course wall, said tuck-slot positioned immediately adjacent to said side wall of said container and dimensioned to accommodate said tuck-tab in a tight fit when said seal-flap is in a closed position with the tuck-tab tucked therein.

7. The container of claim 5 having protrusion-tabs on the lateral edges of said tuck-tab, said protrusion-tabs positioned in said tuck-slots when said tuck-tab and said seal-flap are in a closed position, and extending behind and engaging the outer edges of said side-guards when said seal-flap is in an open position.

8. The container of claim 5 having a thumb-notch in the side-wall of said container so positioned as to expose part of said tuck-tab when said tuck-tab is tucked inwardly thereof, said out out portion of said thumb-notch being articulated to the outer end of the inner course of said seal flap and adhered to the inner side of said tucktab thus tending to force said tab outwardly against said container wall when said tuck-tab is in a closed position.

9. A one piece container of foldable material comprised of two pair of opposing side walls, each pair substantially equal in size and form, parallel to each other and perpendicular to the other pair, these four walls disposed to form the tubular body of said container, each wall being articulated to the two adjoining walls at approximately right angles, and having articulated at one end thereof by hinged connection a glue-flap, said glue-flaps then also consisting of two pairs being disposed to form the end-closure of said one-end of said container, one pair of said glue-flaps being disposed inwardly toward each other in the same plane as right angles to the sidewalls of said container, to form the innermost course of said end-closure, the other pair of opposing glue-flaps being also disposed inwardly at right angles to said container side-walls forming the medial and outer courses of said end closure, the medial course being at least partially adhered to both the inner and outer courses, said medial and outer courses being dimensioned to correspond substantially to the cross section of the container end, said outer course having a longitudinal cut running *7 inwardly from one end thereof and on each side of said cut a partially curved tangent crease running inwardly from said end to the terminal of said cut, thus forming two adhesion free and equally sized and substantially triangular side-guards, said side-guards in one position to extend outwardly at an angle from said end closure,

forming the side walls of a spout and in another position to lie flatly against said medial course, said medial course to have articulated to one end a Van Buren Ear partially adhered to said side container wall, said ear creased and scored forming a tuck-tab, said tuck-tab in one position partially adhered to said side-wall, and in another position torn free therefrom, said medial course also cut and creased forming the larger and outer course of a seal-flap, with said tuck-tab articulated thereto, said outer course of said seal-flap cut free on two lateral edges and hingedly joined to said medial course at one end thereof, said inner course of said container end-closure being likewise scored and cut forming a smaller and inner course of said seal-flap, said two courses of said seal-flap adhesively joined at their contacting areas, and in one position said seal-flap projecting outwardly at an angle opening an aperture in both the medial and inner courses of said end closure, said seal-flap then forming the bottom wall of said spout, with said side-guards forming the side-walls thereof, said seal-flap in another position clos ing said aperture when said tuck-tab is positioned inwardly of said container side-wall within said container.

10. The container of claim 9 having tuck-slots in at least one of the inner courses of said end closure immediately adjacent to the side-wall of said container, said tuckslots dimensioned to accommodate said tuck-tab in a tight fit when said seal-flap is in a closed position.

11. The container of claim 9 having a thumb-notch in the side-wall of said container so positioned as to expose part of said tuck-tab when said tuck-tab is tucked inwardly thereof, said cut out portion of said thumb-notch being articulated to the outer end of the inner course of said seal-flap and adhered to the inner side of said tucktab thus tending to force said tab outwardly against said container wall when said tuck-tab is in a closed position.

12. The container of claim 10 having protrusion-tabs on the lateral edges of said tuck-tab, said protrusion-tabs positioned in said tuck-slots when said tuck-tab and said seal-flap are in a closed position, and extending behind and engaging the outer edges of said side-guards when said seal-flap is in an open position.

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